Kazakhstan: Law on Religious Clothing in the Works

The government in Kazakhstan looks set to intensify its war on what it dubs “non-traditional Islam” by drafting laws banning clothing and other attributes adopted by ultra-orthodox Muslims.

Almaty TV reported this week that a law that could be presented in parliament later this year envisions restrictions on wearing certain types of black clothes and trousers with ankle-length hems. Beards could also be targeted.

Quite how any of this will pass either legal muster or be enforced is anybody’s guess, but officials say they are examining international practice to see what lessons they can draw.